Sailing Tours

Sailing Tours on Santorini let you see the caldera from the water, where the scale of the island is easiest to grasp. The cliffs rise some two hundred to three hundred metres above the sea, striped in red, black and white layers of lava, ash and pumice, with the white villages of Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli and Oia perched along the rim. From a boat in the middle of the flooded crater you can see all of this at once, in a way that is impossible from the paths above, with the open Aegean Sea beyond the rim.

Most trips leave from the marina at Vlychada on the south coast, or from the old port of Fira and other harbours, and run on catamarans and traditional wooden sailing boats, with groups ranging from a handful of guests to large parties. The usual route circles the caldera, calling at the volcanic islands of Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni, where passengers can swim in the warm sulphur-tinted springs, and at beaches such as the Red Beach on the south coast, with its rust-coloured cliffs, and White Beach, reachable only by boat. Some itineraries continue to Thirassia, the smaller island on the western side of the caldera, with its quiet fishing villages.

Tours typically last between four and six hours and include meals, often a barbecue or buffet of grilled fish or meat, salads and local wine, along with swimming and snorkelling stops. The sunset sail is the most popular option, because the evening light on the cliffs and the glow over the water make a memorable setting, and the sun slipping behind the western horizon is seen with no buildings in the way. These evening tours are booked well ahead in summer.

Choose with some care. Smaller boats usually offer a more personal and relaxed experience, while larger vessels have more facilities and a more sociable feel. Check what is included, whether drinks, meals and snorkelling gear are covered, and whether hotel transfers are provided. The sailing season runs from spring to autumn, with the best conditions in early summer and September.

Bring a hat, sun protection, a towel and a light layer for the evening, since the wind can cool the deck after sunset. Strong northerly winds sometimes cancel departures, so keep your schedule flexible. Anyone prone to seasickness should take care, as the caldera can be choppy on windy days. The sea is cold in spring and warms into autumn.